Naomi Osaka keeps it casual in US Open mixed doubles debut with Gaël Monfils

NEW YORK—Mixed doubles is a decidedly new look for Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion. The former world No. 1 decided her outfit would match the occasion, debuting a more casual style on Arthur Ashe Stadium in her inaugural US Open pairing with Gaël Monfils.

Osaka and Monfils made a strong showing in the revamped mixed doubles event, but ultimately fell short in the Fast Four scoring system to the American-Italian duo of Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti, 5-3, 4-2.

Osaka eschewed her typical high bun in favor of looser locks, first wearing a fitted baseball cap before switching to a visor—after accidentally hitting the cap off her head!

She paired the cap with a loose Nike t-shirt, both displaying her signature “NO” logo.

The two teams maintained their intensity throughout the 68-minute clash, but Osaka and Monfils were quick to smile when McNally and Musetti—both more experienced doubles players—exposed their singles positioning.

Osaka will likely be back to the business bun when she returns to court next week for women’s singles, where the two-time champion will make her ninth main-draw debut. The 27-year-old is coming off her first WTA 1000 final since 2022, having finished runner-up to Victoria Mboko at the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montréal.

But never fear, couture heads: Osaka has been teasing something spectacular when it comes to her on-court attire.

“It’s going to be super fire,” promised Osaka, who will be hard-pressed to top her anime-inspired looks from last year’s US Open.